72ND EDITION OF MISS UNIVERSE 2023

Hello, Everyone!

Miss Universe is an international beauty pageant held annually by a United States and Thailand-based Miss Universe organization. This year on 19th November 2023 as per IST, the 72nd Miss Universe pageant was held in San Salvador, EL Salvador. The pageant marks a spellbound extravaganza of beauty, intelligence, and cultural diversity.

MISS UNIVERSE

Sheynnis Palacios from Nicaragua won the prestigious 72nd Miss Universe international beauty pageant. This is the first time a Nicaraguan woman has won the coveted crown and glory of being Miss Universe. Previously she had represented Nicaragua in 2017, in the 2017 Teen Miss Universe pageant, placing in the top 10 and Miss World Pageant in 2021.

RUNNER UP

Anntonia Porslid from Thailand is the runner while Moraya Wilson from Australia holds 3rd place in the competition.

Winners of national pageants from 84 countries participated in Miss Universe this year vying for the coveted crown representing their country. The contestants were judged by a panel of judges including singer Mario Bautista, original Queer Eye star Carson Kressley, model and activist Halima Aden, Telemundo host Giselle Blondet, former White House physician Dr. Connie Mariano, and influencer Avani Gregg among the judges.

SEMIFINALS

20 semifinalists out of 84 contestants were announced in the semifinals. Some of these were Miss India Universe Shweta Sharda, Miss Pakistan Universe Erica Robins, and Miss Philippines Universe Michelle Dee.

FINALS

The top 10 finalists for Miss Universe 2023 were Puerto Rico, Thailand, Peru, Colombia, Nicaragua, Philippines, El Salvador, Venezuela, Australia, and Spain.

INDIA QUALIFIED FOR THE SEMIFINALS BUT MISSED ITS SPOT IN FINALS

Chandigarh-born model and dancer Shweta Shrda aged 22 was among the top twenty semifinalists. But unfortunately, after the swimsuit round, she could not qualify for the evening gown round. The Indian beauty queen was heading high among the top twenty semi-finalists for her race toward the finals but her dream of racing to the finals dream was shattered and India missed its spot in the finals.

HOW THE 72ND MISS UNIVERSE WAS UNIQUE

This year Miss Universe’s 72nd edition was unique and was one of its kind till now. Here’s the list of historical events that made the Miss Universe competition so special :

1. BODY POSITIVITY

This year's pageant included its first plus-sized contestant 22-year-old from Miss Nepal, Jane Dipika Garrett. She is a Nepal-based model in the United States and is a body-positive and women’s health advocate. As stated in her Instagram bio she is also a nurse and business owner. Jane Dipika Garnett stated"As a woman who is curvy and who does not meet beauty standards, I'm here to represent women who are curvy, who struggle with weight gain, who struggle with hormonal issues" after winning the Miss Nepal 2023 title.

2. THE DEBUT

Pakistan made its debut in the Miss Universe beauty pageant. Pakistan’s representative aged 25 Erica Robin shined at the swimsuit competition with a loose light pink gown instead of a bikini to abide by the country’s beliefs and religion.

3. GENDER IDENTITY-TRANSGENDER INCLUSION

Transgender delegates made their spot in their global pageantry for the first time promoting gender identity. This year marked the inclusion of two transgender contestants from the Netherlands and Portugal namely Miss Portugal (Marina Machete )and Miss Netherlands (Rikki Kolle).

4. BREAKING STEREOTYPES-NO BAR FOR MARRIED WOMEN AND WOMEN WITH CHILDREN

This year saw historic moments at the pageant. For the first time, the 72nd edition of Miss Universe saw no bar for married women and mothers for their entry to the global stage breaking stereotypes. For the first time married women participated in the competition. Miss Columbia Camila Avella's entry to the Miss Universe is one such example. She is not only married but also she is a second mother to glorify the most esteemed global event.

JOHN LEGEND PERFORMANCE

The Grammy-winning singer enthralled his fans with his “ALL OF ME” performance. The musical spectacle has made a long long-lasting soulful impact in the hearts of audiences worldwide.